Photo by Jason White
A new study says that the lower jaw teeth in frogs are re evolving after being gone for more than 200 million years. The discovery runs counter to a principle called Dollo’s law, which states that physical structures lost during evolution are never regained, according to Wiens, an evolutionary biologist at Stony Brook University in New York State. Scientists are saying this challenges the core idea of evolution itself.
The Chicago Herpetological Society will host its 18th annual ReptileFest at the University of Illinois Chicago Physical Education Building on April 9 and 10. This family-friendly educational event will include hundreds of snakes, lizards and much more, and will take place between 10 AM and 5 PM on both days. Admission to mingle with the cold-blooded collection of creatures is priced at $10 for adults and $7 for children ages 3 to 11.
ReptileFest is North America’s largest and most dynamic gathering of reptiles and their fans, and includes participation from dozens of animal conservation groups and private collectors who put their amazing animals on display.
Highlights of ReptileFest include:
For more information about ReptileFest, including exhibitor and vendor registration and a discount coupon for admission, visit www.ReptileFest.com. Ample parking is available in UIC’s public lot immediately across Roosevelt Road.
No live animal sales are allowed at ReptileFest.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-chicago-herpetological-society-announces-18th-annual-reptilefest-113905674.html
Scientists were searching for a lost frog that has not been observed in the wild for 25 years. There search did not turn up any of the elusive La Selle grass frogs but did turn up 6 species thought to be lost already. Scientists say it gives new hope for the biodiversity in Haiti as its forests have been ravaged by earthquakes and deforestation.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Exiting Gov. Ted Strickland banned new exotic pets Thursday in one of the few remaining states without such a restriction, and allowed existing pets to be kept only under tough new rules.
Though Strickland’s emergency executive order is only effective for 90 days, Gov.-elect John Kasich said he saw no immediate reason to reverse it after he takes office Monday.
Ohio was one of fewer than 10 states remaining where wild pet ownership was virtually unchecked.
Strickland’s order called for a ban on the future ownership, breeding, sale, trade or barter of wild animals “that are dangerous to human health and safety.” People who already own exotic pets will now have to register them with the state and will be barred from breeding or selling their boas, chimpanzees, tigers, bears and other wild animals.
The order fulfills Strickland’s end of a deal brokered by his administration with the Humane Society of the United States, other animal rights groups and Ohio’s agribusiness industry. The agreement prompted the Humane Society to withdraw a ballot issue containing a litany of restrictions on pet ownership and treatment and livestock care.
In a statement, he said the agreement “will keep Ohio’s vital agriculture industry profitable while appropriately updating animal care standards.”
“This rule will help protect Ohioans from deaths and serious injuries caused by attacks from dangerous wild animals held in private ownership,” he said.
In August, an animal trainer in Lorain County was mauled to death in a well-publicized attack by a black bear. The animal was properly registered under existing Ohio law.
But the state has some of the nation’s weakest restrictions on exotic pets and among the highest number of injuries and deaths caused by them, an Associated Press review last year found.
Humane Society president and CEO Wayne Pacelle commended Strickland’s order in a statement Thursday.
“Dangerous wild animals do not belong in the backyards and basements of private citizens,” he said. “It’s bad for the animals and dangerous for people. This emergency order is good for Ohio, and we look forward to seeing it implemented in the months ahead.”
As an emergency measure, Strickland’s order is temporary — running through March 6. However, Kasich said Thursday that he supports the ban in concept.
“We don’t want exotic animals here where somebody’s bringing something in and then some neighbor gets hurt. So we’ll look at it,” he said during a news conference announcing three new cabinet directors. “It sounds reasonable, but just let me take a look at it. I would be inclined to say we should continue it.”
The Humane Society had threatened to revisit its ballot issue if terms of its deal with the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and other agriculture interests weren’t met by Dec. 31. The measure would have placed restrictions on the crating and care of livestock that raised concern among farmers. Instead, farm groups spearheaded creation of a state livestock care standards board that is now up and running and hammering out standards with input from both sides.
It requires owners who want to keep exotic pets they have now to register the animals by May 1, and once a year after that. It exempts certain zoos and animal preserves from the ban on ownership, breeding and sale.
The ban will be carried out by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-06/outgoing-ohio-governor-orders-ban-on-exotic-pets.html
Active sportfishers should take note that in 2011, all anglers age 16 and up will be required by the California Department of Fish and Game to have a sportfishing license.
Activities that require a license are not restricted to just fish or shellfish. “Taking” or “pursuing” reptiles or amphibians are also subject to the license requirements as well, as are any kind of catch-and-release activities.
The full story
http://halfmoonbay.patch.com/articles/state-department-of-fish-and-game-issues-new-sport-fishing-license-requirement-for-2011
